All information in this report is taken from Hospital Discharge Data which is updated annually by the Arkansas Department of Health Center for Health Statistics. The file includes billing data for 100% of all inpatient claims for discharges during the calendar year. Our report is based on the most recent period available and is consistent with data release policies of the Arkansas Department of Health Center for Health Statistics.
Statistics are reported by Medicare Severity-adjusted Diagnosis Related Groups (MS-DRGs) according to diagnostic information, the procedures performed, patient age, and other factors. Our report is based on MS-DRGs, but uses modified descriptions to make them easier to read and understand. The MS-DRGs with the highest charges (as ranked for Arkansas hospitals) are reported:
Categories - MS-DRGs are categorized for review. These categories are unique to this website.
Description - simplified descriptions are used instead of the technical terminology associated with MS-DRGs. MS-DRG numbers are included within parentheses as part of the description.
Patients - the total number of patients in the MS-DRG category for the 12 month period being reported.
ALOS - the average length of stay (in days) for patients in the MS-DRG category.
Hospital's Charge Range - Average hospital charges for a MS-DRG are reported as well as the "Higher" and "Lower" ends of the range representing about 68% of all patients. (Statistically, this is referred to as +/- one standard deviation from the mean.) PLEASE NOTE: In some situations (e.g. when there are only a small number of patients in a MS-DRG) a blank will appear if it is not possible to calculate a reasonable "Lower" end.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT ACTUAL PAYMENTS TO THE HOSPITAL MAY DIFFER SIGNIFICANTLY FROM CHARGES. THE MEDICARE PROGRAM MAKES FIXED PAYMENTS FOR MS-DRG'S REGARDLESS OF A HOSPITAL'S CHARGES AND INSURANCE COMPANIES MAY NEGOTIATE DISCOUNTED PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS.
